2 Farm Hands & Apprentices Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm
- Date Posted February 13, 2018
- Location Douglasville, GA
- Category Agriculture
- Job type Full-Time
The farm’s Owner and Operator, Ashley Rodgers, has been farming in Georgia organically for her entire career. Ashley previously managed Serenbe Farms in Chattahoochee Hills, GA, as well as vegetable production for White Oak Pastures, in Bluffton, GA, and Planted Rock Farm in Chattahoochee Hills, GA. You can learn more about Ashley and her farming practices/beliefs on the following media: CBS Sunday Morning, Women’s Health Magazine, and Civil Eats. We sell our produce at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, the Morningside Farmers Market, both in Atlanta, and to Metro-Atlanta area restaurants, our own CSA and wholesale.
The farm’s growing style is medium-scale, mechanized production: tractors, tools and machinery, however, we are not a big AG farm. Sustainable farming practices are the backbone of Rodgers Greens and Roots: compost, cover crop, and crop rotation. Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm has great potential for growth for the right candidate: a great location, on phenomenal bottom land soil, an experienced farm manager mentor, the burgeoning Atlanta local food market/scene, and a warm and welcoming farm family. We are a young, liberal-minded farming family and crew. We are an equal opportunity employer without discrimination and are accepting applications from anyone interested in applying for this position. Job description
We are hiring two full-time farm hands (1 to start now, and 1 to start February 2018) and 2 full-time apprentices (both start in March 2018). We will be accepting applications and interviewing until these positions have been filled.
For the full-time farm hands, we are seeking someone with 1 year of experience in small to medium scale organic vegetable production. This is a full-time permanent year-round position and can be an excellent opportunity for someone looking to stay on a farm for more than one season. For the apprentices we do not require previous farming experience.
The Full-time farm hands and apprentices will work alongside the manager and assistant farm manager and will focus on assisting in the growth and maintenance of the farm’s crops through greenhouse seeding, transplanting, cultivation, irrigation, pest and disease prevention and application, row covers, trellising, and field clean-up. Harvesting, washing, packing and distribution of vegetables to farmer’s markets, our CSA, and restaurants will also be a large role of these positions.
Responsibilities:
- Greenhouse seeding and management
- Transplanting
- Irrigation installation and running of schedules
- Infrastructure development
- Cultivation and weed control
- Composting
- Harvesting, washing, packing vegetables
- Farmers market sales, set-up and break down
- CSA set up and breakdown
- Restaurant deliveries into Atlanta
- Tractor work: primarily tillage, bush hogging, and cultivation, will be expected after a significant training period
Farm Hand Job Requirements:
- 1 year of full-time previous farming experience in organic vegetable production
- A serious interest in farming as a lifestyle and livelihood
- A mind for efficiency, attention to detail, organization and a sense of urgency
- Open and positive communication skills
- Willingness to take initiative and take on responsibility
Skills Required:
- Proficient in: harvesting all types of vegetables, washing and bunching, weeding, installing drip tape and other forms of irrigation, transplanting and greenhouse seeding.
- Farmers market sales experience-setting up and breaking down
Salary:
$300- $350/week for 6 months, with potential for a pay increase in July
5 days paid vacation for first year
Housing Provided:
One Bedroom in a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house. Includes: utilities, washer & dryer, internet, heating, A/C, refrigerator, stove, a neighborhood pool and tennis court. House is a 7 minute drive from the farm.
Apprentice Job Requirements:
- A serious interest in farming as a lifestyle and livelihood
- A mind for efficiency, attention to detail, organization and a sense of urgency
- Open and positive communication skills
- Willingness to take initiative and take on responsibility
Salary:
- $275/week for 6 months, with potential for a pay increase in July
Housing Provided:
One Bedroom in a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house. Includes: utilities, washer & dryer, internet, heating, A/C, refrigerator, stove and a nighborhood pool and tennis court. House is a 7 minute drive from the farm.
Future Opportunities: This position has room for growth if the first season goes well and is a mutually beneficial relationship, this would include an increase in responsibility and a pay increase. We are looking for farmers to grow with us.
Within 5-10 years we want to grow this farm into 22 acres of vegetable cultivation, 7 acres of Orchard, and 20 acres of small livestock (chickens, sheep and goats). Growing and sales focus on farmers markets, restaurants, wholesale, and CSA. At full scale production we hope to have 600+ CSA members.
Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation Application instructions